Dental hygiene is extremely important to keep teeth healthy. Proper dental care help prevent cavities and gum disease. Dental hygiene begins with the emergence of the first tooth and continues throughout a person’s lifetime. Brushing teeth, flossing, and regular dentist visits are essential for good oral hygiene.
Infants and toddlers often develop tooth decay due to being put to bed with a bottle containing juice or formula. If an infant or toddler must have a bottle at bedtime, the bottle should contain plain water only. Toddlers can begin to learn how to brush their teeth with their parent’s supervision. Many physicians recommend that children use toothpaste made for children since regular toothpaste contains more fluoride than is healthy for young children.
Brushing teeth removes the plaque from the surface of the teeth. Plaque causes tooth decay. An accumulation of plaque causes tartar which is a hard, scaly substance often seen along the gum line. Tartar can cause gingivitis which is an inflammation of the gums. Inflamed gums may bleed, appear redder than usual, and be sore to the touch.
Untreated cavities and gum disease can lead to tooth loss, tooth abscesses, and infection. If a tooth becomes abscessed, a root canal may be necessary. Infections of the mouth can spread to other parts of the body and lead to serious health problems.
To avoid these problems, frequent brushing, flossing, and regular trips to the dentist are highly recommended. A healthy diet can help keep teeth healthy as well. Dental professionals recommend avoiding sugary snacks, candy, and soda. If a people eat any of these, they should brush their teeth afterwards. Using an antiseptic mouthwash can help decrease the bacteria in the mouth that commonly leads to bad breath.
Orthodontics may not be considered by many people to be part of necessary dental care, but an irregular bite and shifting teeth can cause irregular wear of the teeth. This abnormal wear can make teeth susceptible to dental problems like tooth decay. When someone wears braces, proper dental hygiene is important to prevent permanent staining of the teeth and tooth decay caused by food trapped in the braces.
